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Founded in 1970, Paris Saint-Germain initially struggled to become a powerhouse, gaining promotion to Ligue 1 only in 1974, managing to win only two Ligue 1 titles in a 42-year time period, until the club witnessed quite a transformation in 2011 which spearheaded an extreme change in fortunes for the club.
In all honesty, though, the real change began at the turn of the century as the club successfully lured iconic players such as Ronaldinho, Jay-Jay Okocha, Nicolas Anelka and Pauleta among others.
In 2011, the club was taken over by Oryx Qatar Sports Investments (QSi) and Nasser Al-Khelaifi was installed as the new club president.
The takeover was heralded by the arrival of super-swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who subsequently became the club's leading goalscorer of all-time, leading PSG to 4 Ligue 1 titles in as many years, before departing for Manchester United ahead of the 2016-17 season.
Since 2011, Paris Saint-Germain have won 5 league titles, 3 Coupe de France titles, 5 Coupe de la Ligue titles, as well as 5 Trophée des Champions trophies, thus becoming a European superpower.
Notably, PSG has also become a financial giant with their new owners pumping in plenty of money in recent years in order to recruit some of the top talents across the footballing world.
Over the last 7 seasons, since 2011, Paris Saint-Germain have spent a whopping sum of €935.05 million (excluding the exorbitant transfer fee of £166 million (€188 million) that they are set to pay Monaco for the permanent transfer of Kylian Mbappe in the coming summer), with €222 million being spent on Neymar, alone, last summer.
Flexing their financial muscles, PSG have undeniably become one of the biggest clubs in the world, with their net worth standing at a staggering figure of $841 million. Further, the club reportedly generates an annual revenue of €520.9 million.
Naturally, big money deals may successfully attract top players. However, to retain them, Paris Saint-Germain have also had to invest heavily in player wages.
When top players play for a top club that isn't stingy with their wealth, it's only fair to expect that they are paid well to do so.
On that note, here is a look at the weekly wages of 20 first-team Paris Saint-Germain stars:
#20 Presnel Kimpembe (Defender) - €10,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2021
A product of the club's youth academy, Presnel Kimpembe has been at the club since the tender age of 10, before breaking into the senior team in 2014 when he made his Ligue 1 debut against RC Lens.
Over the past couple of seasons, Kimpembe has started to feature a lot more regularly for the side and has now made a total of 70 appearances across all competitions. Aged just 22, he could certainly become a club superstar in the future.
Solid, isn't he?
#19 Alphonse Aréola (Goalkeeper) - €40,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2019
Another product of the club's youth academy, Alphonse Areola made his senior debut in 2013, at the age of 20, when he replaced the first-choice goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu in a Ligue 1 match.
He was then sent on back-to-back loan spells to Lens, Bastia and Villarreal, before returning to Paris in 2016 as second-choice to Kevin Trapp, before eventually becoming the first-choice shot-stopper this season.
Since his return, Areola has made 68 appearances across all competitions and looks capable enough to permanently occupy the slot between the sticks for the next few years to come.
Safe as a house.
#18 Thomas Meunier (Defender) - €60,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2020
After 5 impressive seasons with Club Brugge in Belgium, Thomas Meunier was purchased by Paris Saint-Germain in 2016 for a reported fee of €6 million. The Belgian fit right into the squad upon his arrival, but Dani Alves' procurement has limited his playing time this season.
At the age of 26, Meunier still has plenty of time left and could soon be preferred ahead of the ageing Dani Alves.
One for the future?
#17 Adrien Rabiot (Midfielder) - €60,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2019
After playing at the youth level for clubs like US Créteil and Manchester City, Adrien Rabiot joined the PSG academy in 2010, and signed his first professional contract in 2012, before getting promoted to the senior team by Carlo Ancelotti ahead of the start of the 2012-13 season.
In his 6 seasons at the club, Rabiot has helped the club to 15 major titles and is considered to be a crucial figure in the French side.
Excellent for a 23-year-old...
#16 Kevin Trapp (Goalkeeper) - €75,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2020
Paris Saint-Germain signed Kevin Trapp from Eintracht Frankfurt for a reported fee of €10 million in July 2015, and the German goalkeeper immediately displaced Salvatore Sirigu to become the club's first-choice shot-stopper.
Until September 2016, Trapp was Unai Emery's go-to goalkeeper, until Alphonse Areola's rise to prominence forced Kevin Trapp into negligence. At 27-years of age, the German goalkeeper could still hit his peak and force his way back into the first team.
Kevin Trapp still has a lot to offer.
#15 Layvin Kurzawa (Defender) - €75,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2020
Signed from AS Monaco on a 5-year deal that cost PSG €23 million, Layvin Kurzawa hasn't made as much of an impact at Paris Saint-Germain as he would have liked.
The Frenchman is currently in his 3rd season at the club but has only made a total of 71 appearances across all competitions. This season, the arrival of Yuri Berchiche has forced Kurzawa to share the left-back slot, thus hindering his ability to make a lasting impression.
Capable of a fair bit, eh?
#14 Hatem Ben Arfa (Midfielder) - €75,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2018
Impressive spells with the likes of Lyon, Marseille, Newcastle United and Nice, especially, prompted PSG to sign Hatem Ben Arfa on a free transfer in July 2016. However, things have only gone south thereafter for the Frenchman.
A falling out with manager Unai Emery has ensured that the 31-year-old hasn't played a single minute this season, despite making 32 appearances in all competitions last season. As things stand, Ben Arfa has no future at the club and is expected to leave the club once his contract expires this June.
He was clearly signed for a reason and will look to turn his career around ASAP.
#13 Yuri Berchiche (Defender) - €80,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2021
Ahead of the ongoing season, Paris Saint-Germain purchased Spanish left-back, Yuri Berchiche, from Real Sociedad for a reported fee of €16 million.
The 28-year-old has been a useful signing, making 23 appearances in all competitions, including 16 league appearances, helping the club win the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de la Ligue trophy this season.
Not a bad addition to the side, eh?
#12 Thiago Motta (Midfielder) - €80,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2018
Former Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan star, Thiago Motta, joined PSG in the 2012 winter transfer window for a reported fee of €10 million. Since then, the Italian has made a total of 226 appearances for the Parisiens.
Further, Motta has lifted a grand total of 17 titles during his time in Paris, and at the ripe old age of 35, looks to be approaching the end of his PSG career.
What an important figure Thiago Motta has been for PSG!
#11 Lassana Diarra (Midfielder) - €80,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2019
Lassana Diarra, Paris Saint-Germain's newest signing, was recruited towards the end of the 2017-18 January transfer window and has since made 11 appearances for the French side.
The defensive midfielder has played for the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid, and brings tons of experience to the side. At 33, he still has a couple of years left in him and could make quite a difference to PSG in their hunt for European glory.
What a beast!
#10 Julian Draxler (Forward) - €100,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2021
As a result of widespread hype surrounding Julian Draxler and his potential, Paris Saint-Germain decided to spend a reported fee of €40 million to bring the German to the Parc des Princes in December 2016.
After officially completing the move in early January 2017, Draxler soon fit right into the side, making 25 appearances in the first season itself. This season, he has transitioned into a key figure in the side and has made 42 appearances, scoring 5 goals in the process.
Aged 24, Draxler still has plenty of time ahead of him and could become one of the best footballers in the world in the near future.
Julian Draxler has plenty of potential.
#9 Javier Pastore (Midfielder) - €100,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2019
Currently one of the longest-serving players at the club, Javier Pastore joined the French side in 2011 when PSG reportedly paid Palermo €39.8 million for his services. Since then, there has been no turning back for the Argentinian.
In a PSG career spanning 7 seasons, Pastore has won 18 major titles with the Parisiens, and aged just 28, is expected to lift a few more before he drops the curtain on his career.
The Argentinian has certainly been very important to PSG.
#8 Marco Verratti (Midfielder) - €150,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2021
Signed from Pescara for a reportedly meagre fee of €12 million in 2012, Marco Verratti has, in hindsight, been one of PSG's best signings.
In 6 seasons at the club, the Italian has made 237 appearances in all competitions, winning 18 major titles. Despite attracting attention from top European clubs, Verratti has stayed loyal to the club so far and seems a likely feature in the French outfit next season as well.
Just how good is he?
#7 Marquinhos (Defender) - €200,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2022
In 2013, Paris Saint-Germain spent €31.4 million on an 18-year-old centre-back by the name of Marquinhos. The deal saw a record sum of money being spent on a teenager, thus adding the weight of expectations on the youngster.
Since then, the Brazilian has become a regular in the side, making 35+ appearances in all his seasons at the club, barring his first.
Still just 23, Marquinhos is improving at a steady rate and could one day become one of the best defenders in the world.
Keep an eye on him.
#6 Thiago Silva (Defender) - €200,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2020
After a month-long transfer saga, Paris Saint-Germain bought Thiago Silva from Milan for a reported fee of €42 million. Widely hailed as one of the best defenders in the world, the Brazilian slotted into the first team upon arrival.
In 6 seasons at the club, Silva has made 231 appearances in all competitions and has won 16 major titles. A lot will depend on him at the back if PSG are to realistically challenge for the UEFA Champions League next season.
What a bulwark he has been at the back for PSG.
#5 Edinson Cavani (Forward) - €200,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2020
3 sensational goal-filled seasons for Edinson Cavani at Napoli were followed by a €64.5 million move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2013. Alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cavani plundered his way to 81 goals in his first three seasons.
Once Zlatan retired, Cavani became the spearhead of the PSG attack, and currently, represents a third of one of the most feared trios in world football(alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe). In his last two seasons, Cavani has scored a stunning total of 87 goals in all competitions.
Despite an alleged fall-out with Neymar, Cavani has maintained his form and has consistently scored goals in all competitions. Should PSG keep a hold of him, they can be assured of a regular flow of goals up top.
As clinical as they come, eh?
#4 Dani Alves (Defender) - €230,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2019
After winning 23 major titles with Barcelona, Dani Alves moved to Juventus for a solitary season, winning 2 more major titles. Upon termination of his contract with the Old Lady, Alves moved to PSG on a free transfer ahead of the 2017-18 season.
So far this season, the Brazilian has appeared 36 times for the Parisiens and has already helped the club win 3 trophies. He has a contract until the end of next season and his contributions will be critical to PSG's chances.
Best right-back in the world?
#3 Ángel Di María (Forward) - €230,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2019
In 2015, a controversial move saw Di Maria fail to board a plane with his Manchester United teammates before completing a £44 million switch to PSG just days later. However, while his arrival may have been controversial, his presence has been very beneficial to the French club.
The Argentine winger has been a crucial cog in Unai Emery's plans and despite the arrivals of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, Di Maria has consistently found a way to shine.
He seems to be enjoying his best season at the moment, having found the net 21 times this season. He, too, will be important to PSG's chances next season.
Boy, isn't he a joy to watch?
#2 Kylian Mbappé (Forward) - €300,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2018
Having stunningly won the Ligue 1 title last season with AS Monaco, Kylian Mbappe's sudden rise to prominence has not gone unnoticed. Despite initially being linked with a move to Real Madrid, the 19-year-old joined PSG on a season-long loan deal ahead of the ongoing season.
The teenager is set to cost the Parisiens a whopping sum of €188 million this summer, as they seek to make him a permanent member of their squad. The Frenchman has been rather impressive this season, scoring 21 times in 39 appearances in all competitions.
Future Ballon d'Or winner?
Also read: Arsenal: Weekly wages of first-team stars revealed
#1 Neymar Jr (Forward) - €500,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2022
The world's most expensive player, Neymar cost PSG a sky-high transfer fee of €222 million, as Barcelona refused to let him leave for a penny less than his release clause. Unsurprisingly, the Brazilian sensation set about to validate his price tag from the get-go.
Before an unfortunate injury cut his season short, Neymar played in 30 matches across all competitions, scoring 28 and assisting 16 more. What will hurt the club most, is the fact that his injury ruled him out of the UEFA Champions League - a tournament they subsequently crashed out of.
Also read: Manchester City: Weekly Wages of First-Team Stars Revealed
Expect him to return stronger next season and light the football world up yet again.
We all know what this man is capable of, don't we?
Source: Total Sportek
Transfer fee stats: Transfermarkt.com
